Hyperuricaemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a relationship with implications for vascular risk?

Both elevated levels of uric acid and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have been associated with increased vascular risk. Furthermore, certain drugs (e.g. lipid and blood pressure lowering) that decrease)cardiovascular risk and improve/preserve renal function were shown to influence serum uric acid (SUA) levels and/or NAFLD. A link between hyperuricaemia and NAFLD has also been suggested. This review considers the associations between hyperuricaemia, NAFLD and vascular risk. We also discuss the effects of different drug treatments on SUA and NAFLD. As NAFLD is a very common condition, future work in this field is needed with regard to a more practical definitive diagnosis, evidence- based treatments and a better understanding of the possible links between NAFLD, elevated SUA levels, cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. Whether treating hyperuricaemia and NAFLD will translate into a reduced risk of vascular events requires further investigation.